The trade we have all been awaiting for the past month or so, Yankees flamethrower Aroldis Chapman was finally told to pack his bags for Chicago. For the Cubs, they got a legitimate closer to throw at the back of their bullpen to prevent Hector Rondon from blowing another one run game. On top of that, Theo Epstein turned an area of their team (lack of left-handers in the 'pen) that was perceived to be the weakness that kept the 100 year curse going, into a strength with both Chapman and ex-Mariner Mike Montgomery being added to the mix. A 7-8-9 of Montgomery, Rondon, Chapman is no "No Runs DMC" like the Yankees had, but definitely good enough to close out games leading through 6.
On the other side of the deal, Cashman showed why he's still one of the top GM's in the game. He bought Chapman at his absolute lowest from the Reds this past summer (due to his suspension for domestic violence), and now just flipped him for a great package. In return for the hard throwing Cuban, the Yankees will receive top shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres, reliever Adam Warren, right field prospect Billy Mckinney, and center field prospect Rashad Crawford. Gleyber Torres is commonly thought of as the best short stop prospect across the league, with both a strong arm and a fluid, quick swing. That quick swing allows for Torres to spray the ball to all areas of the field with ease. As Torres continues to build muscle to improve his power at the plate, I look for the Yankees to try him out at 3rd base due to Didi Gregorious' stronghold on the major league shortstop spot for the near future. An infield with the young core of Greg Bird, Starlin Castro, Didi Gregorious, and Gleyber Torres looks like a potential contender in the not-so-distant future. On top of this, the Yankees get Adam Warren back in their bullpen, who although has had his struggles with the Cubs this year, was a great 7th inning guy for the Yanks last year. This now gives the Yankees the same 7-8-9 of Warren, Betances, Miller that led them to the playoffs last year. Furthermore, I'm not so sure I'd take the Montgomery, Rondon, Chapman back of the bullpen combo over the Yankees own. This trade does a great job at improving the Yankees future while also continuing to compete this year.